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gunf lint trail
Walled
Pike
Northern
Pike
Brook
Trout
Largemouth
Bass
^s
Rainbow
Trout
Source materials for many illustrations
courtesy Minnesota Historical Society.
The Gunflint Trail carries a tradition of wilderness travel
through one of the most beautiful natural areas of Minnesota. Beginning at Grand Marais, the trail now encompasses the Cook County Highway 12 corridor all the way
to Lake Saganaga at our northern boundary, a total of 58
miles. The trail leads travelers inland, from Lake Superior's
rocky cliffs and beaches to the quiet beauty of the clear
sparkling lakes, lush pines and graceful birch.
In past times this was a trail established and used by
American Indians of this region. As Europeans arrived in
the 1700's, explorers, fur trappers and later loggers also
made use of the trail. It provided access from Lake
Superior to the rich wilderness lands within. Fur traders
transported their furs to the trading post at Grand Marais
across this trail, in winter covering the route by dog sled.
The trail crosses or passes near two famous land designa
tions, the Superior National Forest and the Boundary
Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). The Superior National Forest
covers more than three million acres of pine, spruce,
balsam, birch and aspen. Quiet streams flow to and from
the chain of glacial lakes. The Boundary Waters Canoe
Area has long provided the ideal spot for those seeking a
wilderness experience on the clear waterways of the north
country.
Along the Gunflint Trail are the Laurentian Highlands,
where the Laurentian Divide occurs. This land uplift developed at the end of the Archeozoic era, as a mountain
range rose up from the folding movements of the earth.
Erosion later wore down the mountain tops. Today, the
watershed divide occurs between Loon Lake and Poplar
Lake, as waters flow in one direction toward Lake
Superior and in another direction to Hudson Bay.
Exceptional fishing opportunities exist in this water filled
northern region. Lake Superior contains many types of
fish, among them lake trout, herring, smelt, chubs and
salmon. The cold waters of inland lakes and streams along
the Gunflint Trail host walleye, bass, northern pike, brook
and rainbow trout as well as some of the fish found in
Lake Superior which ascend the tributaries to spawn
The many lakes in this region have acquired interesting
names which provide some insight to natural characteristics and various personalities that played a role in early
exploration. Many lakes were named by the Ojibway for
their natural surroundings, later translated to English:
Pine, Iron, Greenwood, Bearskin, Caribou and Sea Gull
Lakes. Lake Saganaga is derived from the Ojibway word
for "lake surrounded by thick forests". Devil Track Lake
and River in Ojibway originally meant "spirits'-walking-
place-on-the-ice-river", later translated with a darker connotation. Hungry Jack was named for Andrew Jackson
Scott, who as an assistant on a government survey spent
some time near this lake on meager rations. Charley Lake
took its name from Charley Sucker, an Ojibway guide and
cook on a government expedition at the end of the
nineteenth century. Howard Lake was named in honor of
one of the Howard brothers who were among the early
explorers of the area's mineral wealth.
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Dogsled Transport
cover identification
The stockade at Grand Portage National Monument has been carefully
reconstructed.
Enjoy excellent fishing opportunities
in the northern streams and rivers.
In Minnesota, the moose can only be
found in the state's northern-most
regions.
Delicious wild raspberries, blueberries
and strawberries grow abundantly
throughout this region.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area
(BWCA) provides exceptionally beautiful wilderness canoeing and camping.
The female loon frequently carries the
young loon on her back for a swim.
The pink moccasin flower adds color
and beauty to the north woods.
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map index
-——
minnesota
?»ke^vays
Fig. 1 shows the state divided for bikeway Folded size on all maps, 5-5/8" x 9".
mapping. Each map contains the following
information: road analysis for bicycle 1-44 18"x33-5/8" 53 mi.x42-l/2 mi
usage; off-road bikeways; historical, social A-H (Metro) 18"x28" 13mi.x10mi.
and cultural attractions; public parklands l-J (Duluth) I8"x28" 10 mi.x8-l/2 mi.
and facilities; bicycle touring equipment
LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE LIBRAR? _
STATE OF MINNESOTA 1/6
Of tb^
Minnesota Department of Transportation
Duluth l-J
Metro A-H
Statewide 1-44
potpourri
luewnuow |buoi;bu 86bj;jocI pubj6
777e lighthouse at Grand Marais sits at the end of a long breakwater, signalling a safe
harbor.
Travel to tfie top of the Arrowhead region,
bordered by the imposing Lake Superior
on the southeast and by Canada's
forestlands to the north. Here you will
discover some of the most beautiful and
undisturbed natural lands Minnesota has to
offer. This region is outstanding not only
in its geographic location but in its
magnificent landscape as well. It is not
difficult to imagine the past as you view
the present, for the breathtaking views of
dramatic, cascading waterfalls, rugged cliffs
and gorges and thick forest cover remain
much the same as the voyageurs of two
hundred years past must have witnessed.
The geological forces which composed
Lake Superior also arranged the other
striking components of the area. Volcanic
action caused downfolds in the earth and
covered much of the region with hot lava.
Shifting of the earth resulted in various
levels of land and formed valleys and
gorges, which were filled by later glacial
meltwaters. Erosion further wore down
softer surfaces while other more durable
substances resisted these forces, giving the
land a rugged, dramatically changing
character.
The most significant factor of the area's
character in addition to the rocky terrain is
the abundance of swift rivers, streams and
lakes. A visitor to this northland region
cannot travel for too many miles without
encountering a lovely body of water; quiet
clear springs, sphagnum bogs, or swift
dancing river waters that bounce against
protruding rocks and cascade in sparkling
lace-like patterns over abrupt drops.
The Poplar River carries water from many
northern lakes into Lake Superior.
Approximately three miles above its
mouth, the river begins to pour through a
series of rapids and falls, rushing through a
deep rocky gorge near Lutsen. The Cascade
River also quickens its descent near its
mouth. Magnificent views of this river's
cascading end of its journey for which it
received its name can be experienced along
the hiking trails within Cascade State Park
which follow the river's sharp banks.
Farther north the Pigeon River presents a
series of spectacular cascades and falls in its
tumultuous lower course before emptying
into Grand Portage Bay. First American
Indians and later European fur traders were
forced to find a route past the unnavigable
portion of the river in order to reach the
back country. The Pigeon River has played
another important role in the shaping of
this country. After the war of 1812,
American and British surveys were made to
determine the northern United States
boundary. The British recommended the
St. Louis River, while the Americans
advocated the Kaministikwia further north.
The Pigeon, in the middle, was also
suggested. After much hot dispute,
Secretary of State Daniel Webster helped
to work out a compromise of the Pigeon
River as the national boundary in this area,
securing for the United States the rich
natural resources and unmatched beauty of
the Arrowhead region.
Much of this region is covered by thick
forestlands except on the rocky expanses
that are intermittently exposed. The
Superior National Forest occupies much of
the area of Map 12; this forest is the largest
national forest in the continental United
States with 3,272,657 acres. Miles of
towering conifers such as white and red
pine; black and white spruce and white
cedar mix with northern hardwoods of
birch, aspen and ash. Together with the
expansive Quetico Provincial Forest in
Canada, the Superior National Forest
provides one of the best northern
wilderness areas anywhere.
Although the large stands of trees have the
most visual impact, many other forms of
vegetation abound. Wildflowers gently
protrude in wet forest edges. The
moccasin-flower is of the same lovely
orchid family as our state flower, the
showy lady's slipper, but is more
Found along the north shore, Thomsonite
is a gem stone displaying concentric circles
of color.
Early trappers sought many northern mammals such as the lynx for their valuable
furs.
commonly seen here. Wild blueberries,
strawberries and raspberries are truly of
exceptional quality and abundance in this
region, and make for a sweet and delicious
treat.
The forests and waterways also provide
protection and sustenance for many forms
of wildlife. The largest member of the deer
family, the moose, is most common in the
extreme northern reaches of Minnesota.
The male sports antlers up to six feet
across which he sheds each year. The
moose can grow up to ten feet long, seven
feet tall at the shoulders, and up to 1,400
pounds in weight. A hiker might chance
upon a moose in the early morning or
evening light as it feeds on water plants at
shallow lakes.
The only city of substantial size in Map 12
is Grand Marais, which initially developed
because of its safe harbor among the many
miles of rocky lakeshore. The old
lighthouse has been converted to a quaint
and interesting museum which recounts
industries important to the region's
development such as fur trading, lumbering
and fishing. Today another significant
industry has evolved, that of tourism. The
tip of the Arrowhead region is the
destination of many seeking a quiet
solitude with nature's magnificence;
endless recreational opportunities in a
naturally spectacular setting.
inset map
LAKE SUPERIOR
^Road surfacejnforrrgt[on_sh^^ and may not, in all cases, reflect the status of the roadway environment